The St. Louis Cardinals will be active on the trade market this winter, but it is still too early to predict who they will trade for and receive in return.
There is a lot of room for improvement on the Cardinals roster. For example, the rotation will likely require an upgrade following the recent decisions made regarding the futures of Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson with the organization.
Perhaps the Cardinals could reunite with a former homegrown pitcher whose immense potential was overlooked, causing him to be regrettably traded.
“The Arizona Diamondbacks emerged as a team receiving significant interest from clubs looking for starters, league sources said during this week’s general manager meetings,” The Athletic’s Will Sammon and Patrick Mooney wrote Friday. “Zac Gallen (who is expected to earn $14.1 million through the arbitration process) is one of the league’s best pitchers and will be a free agent after the 2025 season.”
Gallen has posted a 53-37 record with a 3.29 ERA, an 885 to 258 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .221 batting average against and a WHIP of 1.13 during his six-year career between his time as player for the Miami Marlins and Diamondbacks. .
The 29-year-old was unwisely traded to the Marlins in a deal for Marcell Ozuna shortly after Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak took over as head honcho in 2017 — a move that was not well received by Gallen.
The All-Star pitcher was traded after playing just two seasons in the Cardinals farm system, where he ultimately posted a 1-1 record with a 3.48 ERA, 23-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .237 batting average against and a 1.16 WHIP in 20 2/3 innings pitched for Triple-A Memphis.
It’s hard to imagine him giving up a homegrown talent who excelled during his first stint at the highest minor league level, but that’s what Mozeliak did in his first offseason as a Cardinals POBO. Maybe he can right his mistake by trading for Gallen this offseason – his last as St. Louis baseball boss.
More MLB: Ex-Cardinals All-Star could reportedly reunite with St. Louis for a bargain price